US
Texas
Johnson City

410 votes

Pedernales Falls State Park

2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, Texas 78636 USA

Open Now

Sun 8a-10p

Independent
Credit Cards
Accepted
Pet Friendly
Public
Restrooms

“Hiking, camping, and swimming!”

Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, river swimming, tubing, wading, mountain biking, fishing, bird watching (checklist available), and horseback riding. River recreation is in a limited area beginning at the Youth Group Camping area and continuing downriver to the park boundary. Hiking The park is a favorite for family hikes, with a duck pond, a quarter-mile nature trail to a scenic overlook of Twin Falls, and a wheelchair-friendly wildlife-viewing station. The easy, 7-mile Wolf Mountain Trail wraps around Tobacco and Wolf Mountains, winding along the small canyons created by Mescal and Tobacco creeks. Stop to cool your heels at Arrowhead Pool, where Bee Creek spills into stair-stepped pools. Equestrian A rugged trail winds about 10 miles up over the hillsides and down through the park. Riders should be experienced, as the trail is very rocky and has some steep slopes. Horses should have shoes. There is a water trough at the trailer parking area and an additional trough at the midway point on the trail. At this time, there are no rental horses available near the park. Visitors must provide their own horses. No overnight equestrian camping is allowed. The Pedernales River running through the park can flash flood with little or no warning. The water in the river can rise from a placid stream to a raging torrent in a few minutes. If you are in the river area and notice the water beginning to rise, you should leave the river area immediately. Flash flooding is a common phenomenon in the Texas Hill Country, and park visitors are encouraged to be alert to weather conditions.

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Reviewed by
Nick Porter

Road Warrior
30 Reviews
15 Helpful

August 30, 2014

Rated 5.0

Very cool day trip here with the family. Great hiking or lounging by the river.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Greek_nomad

Road Warrior
401 Reviews
285 Helpful

August 17, 2014

Rated 5.0

If you are visiting Johnson City, and you are looking for a place where you can escape into beautiful natural surroundings and find a basic camp base to spend the night, then you should definitely visit the Pedernales State Park.

If you are a tech freak or a city person who needs modern life luxuries then this place is not for you. On the other hand if you enjoy getting closer to nature, where you can enjoy swimming in crystal clear fresh waters, hike and camp far away from civilization, then this place sounds like the ideal destination in the area for you.

The conditions may be a little bit harsh, but at the same time the purity of the landscapes will prove to be a strong regenerating force for you to regain energy in both body and soul terms!

The only thing that you must be aware of and be very careful about, is the river. It may look calm and shallow most of the times, but don't underestimate it in anyway. Always be informed about the weather conditions in the nearby places when you decide to walk next to it, and when you see its level rising fast then you should leave the river bank immediately and get to the higher possible level from the river. Unfortunately, the area is notorious for its flash floods.

One last tip, while there, you must definitely go to the Twin Falls, what a great view that is !!!! Don't forget to take your camera with you!!!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Katie

16 Reviews
2 Helpful

July 21, 2015

Rated 5.0

Fun. Great for camping with families. I have camped here dozens of times with my friends and family since I was a child, and it has been fun every time. At night, lock up all your food because the raccoons and javalinas will eat it all (seriously ALL) if you leave it out. Don't worry, they won't hurt you, they just want your Doritos.

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